Dracula (1931 Spanish-language film)

Dracula is a 1931 Spanish-language horror film directed by George Melford. It was produced by Universal Pictures and filmed at night on the same sets used during the day for the English-language version of Dracula starring Bela Lugosi.

The Spanish-language version is often considered superior to the English-language version by some critics and film historians. This is attributed to several factors including a more dynamic camera and fluid camerawork by cinematographer George Robinson, and a more expressive cast led by Carlos Villarías as Count Dracula.

The film follows the same basic plot as Bram Stoker's novel and the Hamilton Deane stage play. Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire, travels from Transylvania to England to spread his vampiric curse and find new victims. He preys on Mina Seward and her friend Lucy Weston, attracting the attention of Professor Van Helsing, who is determined to stop him.

The cast included Carlos Villarías as Count Dracula, Lupita Tovar as Eva Seward (Mina Harker in the English version), Barry Norton as Juan Harker (Jonathan Harker), Eduardo Arozamena as Professor Van Helsing, and Pablo Alvarez Rubio as Renfield.

The film was lost for many years but was rediscovered in the late 1970s and has since been restored and released on DVD and Blu-ray. It is now widely available and recognized as a significant contribution to early horror cinema and a compelling alternative interpretation of the Dracula story.